individuality

"It's just better to be yourself than to try to be some version of what you think the other person wants." -Matt Damon (Academy award winning screenwrither, actor and producer)

Are you in a battle to find out who you are? It is no wonder it is a battle. We live with a barrage of media and people telling us, "this is what we should look like, this is how we should act, this is the life we are supposed to live, etc." The end result is we can be stuck with a label - Black, white, skinny, fat, tall, short, superstar, gay, hetero, cool, nerd. loser, winner, geek, or poser. But labels, no matter what they are, never tell the whole story of you. We all really want to live fully as the unique, one-of-a-kind human being we were created as.

Austen "Always By My Side"

“My older brother Connor is an artist, volunteer, and activist who just happens to be deaf and autistic. Having a sibling on the spectrum comes with its own challenges. Siblings of those with disabilities have different stories than those of their parents, siblings, or other family members, and yet we don’t get to tell those stories very often. No, we aren’t the ones raising them, but we are the ones who go to school with them and hear classmates whisper about their “weird” actions and snicker.

We’re the ones who stand by them at every occasion and watch others stare as our sibling reacts to a sensory overload. We’re the ones who watch our communities not understand our sibling and instead of educate themselves and attempt to include our siblings, make fun of them instead. As siblings, it’s not only our role to protect our brothers and sisters - we also must use our experience to help educate others about what our sibling experiences.”

"Stories Matter Because"

Watch this short video to get an idea why stories matter AND the variety of people writing the answers HERE.

Clay's Story "I Accepted It As Me"

This path of continued discovery allowed myself to be vulnerable with others around me. This path may have looked silly to some but it was an act that allowed me to catch people smiling and enjoying difference. What this act was all started from a desire to just embrace who I was as an individual.

Blake and Madi's Story "Superhero"

If you met Blake, you would understand how hard it is for me to summarize all that he is. Blake is my biggest supporter and best friend. He's my brother but also my confidant. I love him differently than I love anyone else because he is different than the rest of the world.

Brandy's Story "Pathways To Healing"

"What has manifested for me that has been so amazing? Part of my healing now is learning to speak my truth and seeing my complete authentic self. I have worn rose colored sunglasses for a long time. It was my way of hiding. I am becoming who I was meant to be."

Taylor's Story "No Expense Spared"

”There’s that age when you start figuring yourself out, and you know that eventually you’ll have to tell your parents. Might not be words they want to hear, but it’s better than letting them find out some other way. In reality, they probably always knew, but it doesn’t become true until you finally say the words.'Mom, Dad…I want to pursue a career in the arts.'”

"YOU ARE ONE"

RILEY'S STORY "AUTHENTIC"

As a senior in high school, I faced adversity from a number of relationships in my life. But it was my story thus far, and my understanding of the adversity I had faced that inspired me to write and publish my first book